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WORKING WITH US
The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.
We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.
As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.
Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.
To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the page.
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ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY
We are seeking an organised, proactive and professional Personal Assistant to provide high-level support to the Director of Secondary Education at the Harris Federation. This 1-year fixed-term maternity cover role is central to ensuring the smooth running of the Director’s day-to-day operations, including diary management, stakeholder communication, meeting coordination and the preparation of key documents.
As part of our Head Office team, you will work closely with senior leaders and colleagues across our secondary academies, playing an important role in supporting the Federation’s mission to deliver an outstanding education for thousands of young people. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, and enjoys building strong, professional relationships.
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MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Your responsibilities will include:
- To present the professional and welcoming face of the Harris Federation and all secondary academies, to all visitors, staff and students, in person and on the telephone.
- To ensure that the Director’s diary is managed efficiently and effectively. This will involve liaising with a variety of external and internal stakeholders.
- To provide a daily/weekly diary and documentation and maintain an overview of approaching deadlines.
- To maintain the Director’s contacts.
- To maintain an exemplary professional environment for the Director at all times.
- To ensure that all visitors are welcomed and catered for in a professional manner, organising refreshments as appropriate.
- To exercise complete discretion when dealing with issues of confidentiality and sensitivity.
- To take all telephone calls, in the first instance, dealing with queries, passing on calls if necessary.
- To keep the Director’s meetings file and retrieve necessary paperwork as and when meetings arise.
- To be responsible for organising meetings and passing on messages between all stakeholders, parents/carers, external agencies and students and the Director.
- To liaise with clerks to Governors to ensure that all relevant paperwork and correspondence is efficiently managed for all the secondary academies.
- To support the Director with the preparation of paperwork and presentations for a range of meetings including interviews, disciplinary hearings, grievances, performance management, presentations, training sessions etc.
- To liaise with Federation admin teams, Data, HR, IT and Finance Business Managers, as well as PAs and Principals across the Federation as appropriate.
For a full list of responsibilities, please download the Job Pack.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We would like to hear from you if you have:
- Appropriate degree or equivalent experience in previous roles
- Trained in the use of a variety of ICT packages
- Knowledge of personal assistant roles and responsibilities
- Training in typing and formatting of a variety of documents including spreadsheets
- Experience of managing staff in relation to the PA role
- Some experience of human resources e.g. recruitment and/or monitoring attendance
- Experience of working to targets and deadlines
- Experience of managing meetings including preparation and circulation of papers, minutes and ensuring information is circulated as required
- Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing
- Ability to work to deadlines
- Ability to be flexible
- Ability to communicate exceptionally well with parents and carers as well as other stakeholders in the academy
For a full job specification, please download the Job Pack.
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APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION
If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.
Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.
When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application.
A reminder to check your junk mail for our email communications and add us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received.
OUR VISION & VALUES
Our vision, from the start, has been to provide the structure and services needed for our schools to amount to more than the sum of their parts, and to free-up our teachers and leaders to focus on one thing and one thing only: the outstanding education of all their pupils. Our young people and communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our core mission has always been to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. Our ambition is one where every child in London, no matter their background, has equal access to high quality education, giving them the same opportunities and potential to succeed.
We know there are many challenges facing our young people and the communities we serve, and that’s why we need determined people like you to help us tackle those inequalities. Whilst each of our academies has their own unique cultures and values; as a whole Federation, we have four core values which are central to successfully achieving our vision: Excellence, Collaboration, Support, and Innovation. We are proud of our values because they guide us in how we work allowing us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our young people, communities, and colleagues.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Safeguarding Notice
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Equal Opportunities
The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.
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WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:
- Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
- Annual performance and loyalty bonus
- Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
- 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
- Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
- Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
- Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
- Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
- 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
- Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans
For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.
Citizens UK
Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.
Citizens UK has played a pioneering role in introducing and developing community sponsorship of refugees in the UK. In response to the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015, we campaigned successfully for the introduction of community sponsorship in the UK. Citizens UK was then instrumental in proving the model can work in the UK and through training, advocacy, and coordination, we have helped hundreds of local groups welcome thousands of refugee families. In 2022, Citizens UK expanded its work by launching the Communities for Ukraine programme, matching Ukrainian refugees with UK hosts and most recently has run Communities for Afghans, resettling dozens of refugees. Throughout, it has combined grassroots organising with national advocacy to build a sustainable, community-led model of refugee resettlement. In 2025, we campaigned successfully to persuade the Government to introduce ‘named sponsorship’, giving communities greater choice in who they would sponsor. This creates a huge opportunity to grow community sponsorship and to enable UK civil society to step up and honour our proud tradition of offering sanctuary.
Head of Community Sponsorship Role
This is a rare opportunity to lead Citizens UK’s community sponsorship campaign and help build the movement that will be at the heart of a community-led welcome.
This new role comes at an exciting and crucial time, as we seek to build and embed this new form of named community sponsorship in the UK. As Head of Community Sponsorship you will lead on our strategy to develop named sponsorship as a transformative part of the UK’s approach to refugee resettlement and community power. This will involve building a broad-base of civil society partners ready to sponsor refugees and to add their voice to the campaign. You will lead on the campaigning and advocacy strategy as we ensure quality in the Government policy and cross-Party political support. Citizens UK acts as the Lead Sponsor for local community sponsorship groups and you will oversee their ongoing support and further engagement.
The role foster collaboration with Citizens UK Organisers and alliances, develop sustainable funding strategies, and ensure alignment with Citizens UK’s broader migration and transformation goals. The role will work alongside Citizens UK’s Migrant and Refugee Organising Team and will contribute to the efforts to build the power to create a more welcoming country. You will lead on relationships with senior stakeholders, policy makers, and funders, and support the creation of campaigns and resources to expand public awareness and support for community sponsorship. With responsibilities spanning communications, and external representation, the role is key to shaping Citizens UK’s refugee resettlement strategy and building its national impact as a driver of cohesion.
Working as the Head of Community Sponsorship for Citizens UK, reporting to the Assistant Director for Migrant and Refugee Organising (MARO), your main responsibilities will include:
Career Pathway Headings
Objectives
Contribute to Citizens UK and Project Strategic Objectives
• Build a broad and deep engagement across civil society in named sponsorship, demonstrating the potential for scale and the big tent of support.
• Develop and implement campaign approaches that secure policy goals and build cross-Party political support.
• Develop strategy that develops the leadership of local Citizens members and refugees, strengthens civic institutions and builds trust across difference.
Build and Manage Projects & Achieve Work Targets Effectively
• Oversee multiple work strands, working in partnership.
• Develop and manage project workplans, KPIs and budgets, ensuring delivery to time, standard, and impact goals.
• Establish systems for performance tracking, evaluation, and continuous improvement across project streams.
Learning, Expertise, Wellbeing & Inclusion
• Act as a senior expert in sponsorship strategy; coach and mentor staff and partners, and facilitate learning across departments and projects.
• Influence and lead the integration of equity, wellbeing and refugee voice into strategic decisions and delivery frameworks.
Develop and Manage External Relationships
• Lead high-level relationships with national and senior stakeholders, including government departments (e.g. Home Office), civil society institutions and funders.
• Build and manage partnerships that advance sponsorship reform and position Citizens UK as a sector leader.
• Ensure stakeholder experience is consistently excellent and take the lead on resolving reputational risks or tensions.
Communications
• Act as a senior spokesperson for Citizens UK’s sponsorship work in the media, at public events, and in government or civil society forums.
• Lead the design and implementation of a high-profile communications strategy to influence narratives on refugee welcome and community leadership.
• Ensure communications align with ethical storytelling principles and amplify sponsor and refugee voices responsibly.
Develop and Manage Internal Relationships
• Lead and develop high-performing cross-functional teams, with clear expectations, direction, and collaboration structures.
• Effectively line manage senior staff and foster shared leadership culture across sponsorship and Citizens UK team
• Ensure that the community sponsorship strategy is aligned with Citizens UK’s other campaigns and work closely with other members of Migrant and Refugee Organising team.
• Contribute to senior leadership structures, including strategic planning processes and transformation initiatives.
Generate Income and Resources
• Initiate and grow significant and sustainable income streams to fund Citizens UK’s sponsorship work.
• Develop and lead high-value funding partnerships with trusts, foundations and strategic donors.
• Demonstrate strong budget oversight and ensure effective use of financial and human resources in sponsorship delivery.
Personal Specification
(D) Desirable, (E) Essential
Qualifications
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Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as migration, social policy, international development, or community organising (D)
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Management or leadership qualification, or relevant CPD in project or programme management, public policy, or team leadership (D)
Experience
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Proven experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes related to refugee resettlement, community organising, or social impact (E)
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Demonstrable track record of strategic leadership in a charity or community-focused setting (E)
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Experience of managing cross-functional teams to deliver against ambitious organisational goals (E)
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Experience of developing and sustaining strategic partnerships with civil society organisations, local authorities, or government departments (E)
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Experience in leading campaigning and influencing strategies to secure changes in Government policy (E)
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Experience of designing and implementing systems for monitoring, evaluation, and learning to track progress and report to funders and or government stakeholders (D)
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Demonstrable experience of driving collaborative campaigns or outreach efforts that engage diverse communities (E)
Key skills and knowledge
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Strong leadership and team coordination skills – able to motivate, direct, and support multidisciplinary teams across multiple workstreams (E)
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Excellent project and performance management skills – able to set strategic priorities, delegate effectively, and ensure accountability (E)
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In-depth knowledge of refugee resettlement systems, community sponsorship models, and UK migration policy, including recent developments affecting Afghan and Ukrainian pathways (E)
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Knowledge and skills in community organising and an understanding of how community sponsorship and campaigning connect with and support the method and aims of organising (E)
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Outstanding written and verbal communication – confident in producing compelling cases for support, policy communications, and public messaging (E)
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Ability to design and deliver stakeholder engagement strategies, with a clear understanding of influencing policy and public opinion (E)
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Skilled in developing and managing strategic partnerships with funders, policy-makers, and community groups (E)
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills – able to assess complex challenges, identify risks, and implement effective solutions (E)
Personal qualities & values
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A mission-driven leader with a passion for refugee rights, community empowerment, and social justice (E)
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Politically astute and able to navigate relationships with stakeholders from civil society, government, and grassroots communities (E)
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Collaborative and people-centred, able to work constructively across teams and with volunteers, refugees, and community leaders (E)
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Committed to embedding refugee leadership and lived experience into programme design and delivery (E)
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Resilient, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced and evolving policy environment (E)
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Comfortable working within an accountable team culture – open to feedback, reflective practice, and continuous improvement (E)
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Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends, and to travel when necessary to support programme delivery (E)
Note:
At Citizens UK, we work with communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
At Outside the Box we make a real difference, positively changing the lives of the people with learning disabilities/autism. To build on our success, we are now looking for someone special to lead our ‘day’ services (OTB Choices).
OTB Choices provides a dynamic portfolio of education, skills, creative and work experience opportunities, from cooking, art and craft to printing, computing, music and customer service, and much more. We are at an exciting stage in our delivery and development and are seeking an exceptional person to lead and manage our services, ensuring consistently high quality provision that really does make a difference.
You will play a pivotal role in our work, proactively leading a diverse team and multi-site operations to achieve targets and outcomes. You will be solution-focused, have the strength, vision and evidenced track record of an experienced manager and shared passion for enabling and empowering people with learning disabilities and/or autism to have their best lives.
To apply, please submit a full CV together with a covering letter (no more than 4 sides of A4) setting out your experience and suitability for the Service Manager/Director role, taking account of the details in the attached application pack (above) and reflecting your understanding of our charity and Outside the Box.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
As an interim Supervising Solicitor in Public Law, you will supervise and carry out CPAG’s public law legal aid cases, to benefit families and children in poverty. You will play an active role in managing CPAG’s legal practice and conduct high-profile public law litigation.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about using the law to advocate for the rights of, and directly improve the lives of, families in poverty. The ideal candidate will be a solicitor (E&W qualified) with experience of conducting public law litigation and legal aid (publicly funded) work. You will be able to supervise the casework of colleagues, such as CPAG’s junior or trainee solicitor(s) and welfare benefit advisers. You may have experience of working with clients in vulnerable situations or with additional needs, for example, survivors of domestic abuse, refugees, disabled people or children and young people.
We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack.
We welcome applications on a secondment basis.
For more information about this post and to apply download the Supervising Solicitor - Public Law (Interim)
Child Poverty Action Group works to prevent and end child poverty – for good.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you passionate about climate justice and economic fairness? Would you like to work at climate charity Possible to find innovative, fair and popular ways to reduce flying? Are you an excellent communicator and able to think creatively? Do you have experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders and audiences? This role might be perfect for you.
Our Low-Fly Future Campaign Manager will play a key role in our aviation workstrand, which focuses on climate justice and reducing aviation fairly by targeting the most frequent flyers and private jets, while offering a green alternative in the form of more accessible international rail travel. The Low-fly Future Campaign Manager will deliver exciting, innovative, ambitious campaigns and projects to tackle the high-carbon and highly unequal aviation sector.
This role offers a diverse and varied workload including campaign planning and delivery, communications, public engagement, political engagement, press, and working with our supporters and the wider public. As well as delivering currently planned campaign outputs, the role will provide scope for creative work and the development of new projects, ideas and tactics within the aviation workstream.
We’d love to hear from people with experience (paid or voluntary) of developing or delivering campaigns and public engagement centred on fairness, whether that’s climate justice, tax campaigning, or social justice work. Previous experience of aviation or transport campaigning is very much not essential, as we can support you to get up to speed on that.
About Possible
Our values Daring, Joy and Community guide our actions and our organisational culture. Here at Possible, we have a vision for a zero carbon Britain that has been built by and belongs to everybody. Our mission is to inspire people in the UK to take the action the climate crisis demands.
We create, build, and share ways people can take meaningful action on climate change together. We translate overwhelming climate urgency into socially just and workable proposals the public can get behind. And we do it all with a can-do attitude and stubborn optimism.
Commitment to anti-oppression
We have made a commitment to make Possible an anti-oppressive place to work. We’re doing the work to undo inequalities and oppressive systems reflected in wider society, and are an inclusive and welcoming group that wants our team mates and the communities we work with to be able to thrive.
We believe that our team and our projects should reflect the diversity of the communities they seek to serve. We particularly welcome applications from marginalised groups, especially people of colour and other ethnic minorities, people who identify as LGBTQIA, disabled people, those who are neurodivergent, people who have experienced mental health challenges and those who identify as working class or have done so in the past.
The basics
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Contract: 12 month fixed term contract. We hope to extend the contract dependent on funding. We are not accepting applications for job shares for this role. We are unable to provide sponsorship for a work visa.
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Salary: £34,845 for 0.8 FTE (£43,556 full time equivalent) and band C3 on our pay scale. We are unable to negotiate salary.
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Location: Hybrid working: Camden office and home working/remote. You’ll be in the Camden office at least one day per week but you’re welcome to be there more often.
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Working hours: 0.8 FTE, which is 28 hours or four days per week. Our core working days are Tuesday and Wednesdays when all staff are required to work.
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Managed by: Head of Aviation, Heat and Energy
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Works closely with: Communications team
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Starting date: Spring 2026
Benefits
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Employer pension contribution of 3.5% of qualifying earnings, with staff contribution of 5% of qualifying earnings
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33 days paid holidays including bank holidays (pro-rata) and three additional days at Christmas when the office is shut
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Cycle to work scheme
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Staff discounts on selected climate friendly opportunities
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Sustainable Travel Leave - paid journey days for low carbon holiday travel
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Employee Assistance Programme that includes access to free counselling sessions and financial advice for you and your family
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Paid volunteer and study leave
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Options to work remotely abroad
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Paid duvet days, when staff need to look after their wellbeing
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35 hour full time work week, flexitime, and flexible working considered from day one
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Learning and development plans and budget for all staff
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Generous sick leave and pay, including paid time off for periods and menopause, gender affirming care, fertility treatment and disability leave
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Good parental leave and pay and family friendly policies and practices like up to one week (FTE) paid carer days.
Interested?
Read the full job application pack, and fill in the application form.
Deadline: 5pm, Thursday 19 February
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.